How to Properly Change Your Domain Name

Why Domain Redirects Matter

When you change your domain name, your old domain doesn't just disappear — it lives on in search engine indexes, social media links, email signatures, printed materials, and hundreds of backlinks from other websites. If users or search engines hit your old domain and get a broken page, you lose that traffic permanently.

A proper 301 redirect tells both visitors and search engines "this site has permanently moved," passing along the SEO authority you've built over the years and keeping your users seamlessly on their way.

The 4 Versions of Your Domain

Every domain actually exists as four distinct URLs. All four must be redirected.

Old Domain (Example: cmsmax.com)

HTTP http://cmsmax.com

HTTP http://www.cmsmax.com

HTTPS https://cmsmax.com

HTTPS https://www.cmsmax.com

New Domain

301 https://cmsmax.org

All four old URL variants should permanently redirect here with a 301 status code.

The Problem with Most Domain Registrars

Domain registrars like GoDaddy only offer forwarding for http:// versions of your site. The https:// versions — which are the primary URLs for any modern, secure website — are left completely unredirected.

This means anyone who clicks a link to https://cmsmax.com from Google, a directory listing, or a backlink will land on a broken page instead of your new site. That's lost customers and lost SEO equity you can't get back.

Choosing the Right Registrar

Not all registrars handle HTTPS redirects. Here's how they compare.

✗

GoDaddy & Similar

✓ Redirects http:// versions

✗ Does not redirect https:// versions

✗ Broken pages for most modern visitors

✗ SEO link equity is lost on HTTPS links

✓

Porkbun / CMS Max Managed

Recommended

✓ Redirects all 4 domain URL variants

✓ Full secure https:// redirect support

✓ Proper 301 permanent status codes

✓ Preserves full SEO equity on every link

Let CMS Max Handle It

We can transfer your old .com domain to our managed registrar for just $24/year and configure a proper 301 redirect across all four URL variants — so nothing slips through the cracks.

Get Help →

That's Not All — Google Search Console

Even with redirects in place, you still need to complete the domain change inside Google Search Console. This means verifying both your old and new domain, then submitting a change of address so Google officially transfers your search authority.

Verify Old Domain

Add and verify your old domain in Google Search Console if you haven't already done so.

Verify New Domain

Add and verify your new domain in Search Console so Google recognizes and indexes it.

Submit Change of Address

Use Google's Change of Address tool from the old domain's Search Console to notify Google of the permanent move.

Read Our Full Google Search Console Guide →

Need Expert Help? Contact Evolution Marketing

For full-service domain migration, SEO recovery, and Google Search Console setup, we recommend reaching out to our trusted partner Evolution Marketing. They specialize in helping businesses navigate domain changes without losing their hard-earned rankings.

Domain Change Checklist

Redirect all 4 URL variants of the old domain with a 301 permanent status code

Use a registrar that supports secure HTTPS redirects (not just HTTP forwarding)

Verify both old and new domain in Google Search Console

Submit a Change of Address in Google Search Console from the old domain's property

Update your sitemap, social profiles, email signatures, and directory listings with the new URL